When Florida pulled out a 3-2 extra-inning win against South Florida on Feb. 12, pitchers Lauren Haeger and Alyssa Bache were a couple of inexperienced wide-eyed freshmen.
Neither Haeger nor Bache have grown into grizzled veterans in time for the Gators’ rematch against the Bulls on Wednesday at 6 p.m., but they certainly have matured in the month and a half since.
“For me and the other freshmen, it was the first couple games of our [first] college season so we didn’t really know what to expect,” Haeger said. “I think we’re just more knowledgeable now.”
In the six years coach Tim Walton has been at UF, he never before had an arsenal of three viable pitchers. This season, Walton has relied on both Haeger and Bache to support his No. 1 starter, sophomore Hannah Rogers.
And each hurler has proven her worth, combining to allow just 0.86 earned runs per game, the fourth-best ERA in the country.
“It’s good for all three of us to be here,” Bache said. “It’s hard for one pitcher or two pitchers to do, but three pitchers makes the whole team surroundings so much better to play in. I’m thankful for Hannah and Lauren because I couldn’t do this myself.”
Although Rogers is carrying the majority of the pitching load, totaling 55 percent of the innings pitched this year, she said she needs the freshmen to help her through the rigorous 54-game regular season.
“They’re both focused, they’re both mentally prepared when they are out on the mound,” Rogers said. “They matured a lot just going out on the mound, and I think they know what to expect of the hitters and I feel like they are hitting better spots also.”
The two freshmen are a combined 13-1, including a perfect 4-0 mark against notoriously tough Southeastern Conference teams. The only loss came against then-No. 5 Washington on Feb. 23, when Haeger gave up three runs in five innings.
But Haeger’s only bump in the road has not stopped her from collecting three SEC Freshman of the Week honors, the most weekly accolades of any of her teammates.
And although Bache has not won any awards yet, she still leads her team with a 0.24 ERA while holding her opponents to just a .192 batting average. Bache was quick to credit her coach and pitching mentor for the success she has had her freshman year.
“Especially coming in as a freshman, you need someone there to pick you up or help you out,” Bache said. “I came in with a lot of confidence, but (Rogers) has helped me in SEC (play) and a lot of different tournaments. I owe a lot to her. And all the coaching staff did a great job bringing three great pitchers together.”
In 2010, Walton brought in then-freshman Ensley Gammel to pitch alongside Florida great Stephanie Brombacher. After going 13-2 and winning SEC Pitcher of the Week during the year, Gammel looked to be a solid option in the circle.
However, injuries and Rogers upstart 2011 plagued her pitching career and Gammel has not entered the circle at all this year.
The possibility of a similar incident threatens every pitcher, but Haeger and Bache said they don’t focus on it.
“I go for the moment now,” Haeger said. “I’ll take it year by year. But no, I don’t really look to my career in the future. I’m in now; I’m in for it now. I came here to win — now.”
Gators sophomore Lauren Haeger pitches during a game last season. The sophomore helped Florida beat No. 1 Alabama 8-4 on Wednesday.
